Multiple Sclerosis and Other Demyelinating Diseases

Abstract

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most frequent idiopathic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Magnetic resonance imaging is the most important paraclinical parameter in the diagnosis of MS. If the MR criteria for dissemination in time and space are positive, the early diagnosis of MS may be established already after one clinical event; thus, MRI has an important impact on the initiation of early therapy in MS. Moreover, MRI is essential in monitoring disease activity and therapy effects. Atypical inflammatory demyelinating diseases include ADEM, neuromyelitis optica (Devic disease), Baló’s concentric sclerosis, Schilder’s disease, Marburg’s disease, tumefactive demyelinating lesions, and acute transverse myelitis. These entities may be separated from MS by a different clinical course and a particular appearance on MRI. Occasionally, these variants merge with MS.